Girl Scout leaders Tracy Bins and Debbie Peck of Northville brought nine fifth grade girls from Junior Troop #770 to the WWJ-TV Weather Center so they could earn a weather badge with the help of Chief Meteorologist Jim Madaus. 

As part of the tour, the girls saw the WWJ-TV studios, the master control room, an edit suite, and the Weather Center.  Jim talked to them about various kinds of weather, answered lots of weather questions, and showed the girls how he does a weathercast on camera.  He then invited the troop to stand in his spot in front of the "green screen" and give it a try.  They practiced their new "weather casting" skills and then the girls surprised Jim with a song about the precipitation cycle. 

"It was fun helping them with their weather badge," said Madaus.  "And it was so nice of them to sing me that song."

The staff enjoyed the girls' song so much; we taped it and have it posted on the WWJ-TV web site for everyone to see.

After the visit ended, we received a lovely note and a photo of the new "Jim Madaus Fan Club" from Scout Leader Tracy Bins.

"Thank you for an amazing field trip today.  The girls were talking the entire way home about what a great experience they had," wrote Scout Leader Tracy Bins. "Please let Jim know how grateful we are for the immense amount of time he spent with the girls.  He is a wonderful and engaging teacher."